CMO declares critical mental health crisis

The mental health crisis in the Caribbean has reached a critical stage, with a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly among young people, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George has said, reporting a doubling in the number of people seeking psychological and mental healthcare since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

He made the statement during the media launch of the 69th CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference, whose theme is Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic, which underscores the growing concern over mental health issues in the region.

“Across the region, there have been notable rises in persons experiencing mental health conditions, especially among young people, with many individuals experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress,” he said. “In Barbados, there has been a 100 per cent increase in the number of individuals seeking psychological and mental health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge is reflective of a broader regional trend where the impact of the pandemic has led to significant rises in mental health conditions.”

While these measures have helped address immediate needs, Dr George noted that much more needs to be done, as the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to impact the population. He stressed the importance of expanding and promoting mental health services throughout the region, adding that in further efforts to address youth mental health, Barbados is currently in the process of developing an adolescence policy.

“We are developing an adolescence policy for Barbados. PAHO has been strategic in giving us the technical support; I think the document is fairly well-advanced. The challenge with young people is that from an adolescence perspective we need to be strategic in how we reach them. We are not going to reach them through the polyclinics or the older methods in how we deliver healthcare. We have to meet them where they are, and understand their communities to deliver appropriate healthcare.”

Dr George added: “The healthcare we would like to target for that group is sexual and reproductive health and mental health – the two big issues.”

Dr Lisa Indar, executive director of CARPHA, stressed the importance of viewing youth mental health through a different lens.

“Sometimes we forget that as adults we have all the stress in the environment, but as a younger person it is even harder for them to deal with,” Dr Indar said. “There are situations where adults might be able to deal with it better because of our years of experience… simple things may impact on a youth differently as well as their mental health. So, as Dr George said, we have to look at it differently and we are committed to how we can develop a targeted programme that allows us to address what is happening in terms of youth mental health.”.

This year’s conference will provide an important forum for health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and partners to engage in meaningful discussions, present cutting-edge research, and develop evidence-based solutions designed for the Caribbean region.

The conference will run from May 7 to 9 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb